[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

The lantern is done. It's a momentous achievement; a culmination of all of Wei Wuxian's work since he first arrived at the inn...

And now it means he doesn't have a project to work on anymore. The agony!

He'll think of one soon enough. In the meantime, he's settled for sketching out an update to the Compass of Evil, whittling away at a block of wood Madam Bar provided him. If he has all the tools of a thousand worlds at his disposal, it should be no trouble at all to fine-tune the instrument.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian wrinkles his nose.

"I am capable of being polite, Moiraine," he says once he's swallowed his food. "When it's warranted."

[blue_ajah]

“I am quite aware of that,” she says, unruffled either by his words or by his cultivation partner’s glower.

“But you should understand that the Endless are not like mortals.”

[acrookedpath]

"I'd assume not, if they are able to craft an entire realm shaped by their desires alone," he says. Polishing off the loquat, he reaches for his tea again. "And able to further shape the same realm with the dreams of others."

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine shakes her head. “He is all dreams, and the Dreaming,” she explains. “He is Endless. He is Dream.”

[acrookedpath]

"...Ah."

That is a little quieter, as he studies Moiraine.

"So a deity. Not just a powerful being."

[blue_ajah]

“Some might call him so, but I am not certain it is that simple. The Endless are the very embodiment of certain concepts,” she tells them.

“Dream. Desire. Despair. Destiny. Delirium. Destruction. And Death.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian looses a soft breath. A beat passes before the corner of his mouth crooks again, unwillingly.

"Well," he says with breezy cheer, draining the last of his tea. (Ah, if only he'd asked for wine as well.) "I'm very well acquainted with my share of these Endless, then, if that is true. Death, eh? You say I should worry about offending Dream, but I'm surprised Death hasn't come to declare I've caused them great offense!"

Since, well. All the necromancy.

[lightamidchaos]

"I did not say that," Moiraine tells Wei Ying, her tone cool and precise. "I said that he appreciates respect. It would be wise of you to not put words in my mouth that I have not spoken. As for Death, I have not seen her here in some time."

Lan Wangji shifts position, deliberately, drawing her attention. "It would be wise of you not to insult Wei Ying," he warns.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian just barely restrains himself from rolling his eyes.

It becomes a little easier after Lan Zhan's comment; "Lan Zhan," he murmurs, and lays a hand on his arm. "It's all right."

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine arches an eyebrow. "Have I said something to offend?"

She is well aware of the protective nature the young man has expressed, but is not inclined to accept either posturing or threats whether subtle or overt.

[acrookedpath]

"I am not offended," he says -- both to her, and to Lan Zhan, who remains stubbornly silent beside him.

On the scale of offenses, do not put words in my mouth is so low that it hardly registers at all.

[blue_ajah]

"Very well." Moiraine sips her tea, and waits.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian glances to his husband, smiles slightly in reassurance, and squeezes his arm before fetching more food from the snack tray.

"Anyway," he says, tossing a walnut into his mouth. "Should I meet any of these Endless, I will behave myself. And in the meantime -- tell us more of what the anomaly has done since our last meeting."

[blue_ajah]

"It thickens, I suppose is the best way to put it," the Aes Sedai tells them. "There is a malevolent sense about it, almost as if it is waiting for something."

[acrookedpath]

He hums in consideration as he chews.

"Has anyone approached it besides you?" he asks. "Does it react differently, if so?"

[blue_ajah]

"Not closely. Nor, for that matter, have I spent much time close to it; only enough to place the wards," she says. Almost absently, Moiraine curves her fingers around her teacup, drawing in the warmth.

"But Hawk has confirmed my observation. He senses the same."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian nods.

"I wonder what it waits for, then," he murmurs, half to himself. He drums his fingers against the table; glances to Lan Zhan in silent query.

[lightamidchaos]

He manages to stifle even the smallest hint of the resigned sigh that threatens to escape him. They have committed to aid this woman, and her town; more, he has committed to Wei Ying that they will do so.

Lan Wangji tips his head to him in acknowledgement.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's smile blossoms anew.

"I suppose we won't know unless we look for ourselves!" he says, and hops to his feet to begin sweeping his notes together.

As fraught as their relationship with Moiraine may be, it always feels good to stretch his legs and go on a proper night hunt. Especially one so challenging as this.

[blue_ajah]

"How much time will you need to prepare?" Moiraine asks. "Given the differential between worlds, it may be best if I remain here until you are ready."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian tips his head to one side as he considers. "A few hours, perhaps," he decides. "Maybe longer."

[blue_ajah]

"Very well." Moiraine reaches into a hidden pouch at her waist and withdraws a silver coin. A flicker of silver-white light wreathes around it in a spiral from her fingertips before she holds it out to them, for one or the other to take.

"This will lead you to my study upstairs, when you are ready."

[acrookedpath]

After another swiftly exchanged glance with Lan Zhan, Wei Wuxian plucks the coin from her palm. He spins it between his fingers, studying the woman holding a flame in her cupped palm on one side, the same flame looming large on the other -- and with a quick nod, tucks it into the sheaf of his notes for safekeeping.

"Until then," he says.

[blue_ajah]

“Until then,” Moiraine says. She rises from the table. “Light illumine and protect.”

With that, the Aes Sedai glides away toward the stairs. Lan Wangji looks sidelong at Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian turns to Lan Zhan, putting on another cheery -- if sheepish -- smile.

"Not so quiet an evening after all, I suppose."